Vilnius University Foundation is starting a fundraising campaign “Residents, we’re here for you!”

As a response to the extraordinary situation brought by the global coronavirus pandemic the Vilnius University Foundation is starting a fundraising campaign “Residents, we’re here for you!”. The goal is to raise money for additional protective medical equipment for the resident physicians of Vilnius University’s Faculty of Medicine. During the coronavirus pandemic due to the shortage most of the residents working with infected patients don't have the proper protective equipment.

Vilnius University Foundation has dedicated the initial 5000 Eur. The first protective supplies (respirators, medical face masks, gloves and clothing) should reach the residents this week.

“The resident physicians at the Faculty of Medicine combating the spread of the coronavirus are currently the University’s weakest link, therefore we must pay special attention to them. By doing their job they are helping the sick, saving lives and risking their own health. Let’s not stay indifferent!” - Prof. Dr. Algirdas Utkus, the Dean of the VU Faculty of Medicine encouraging everyone to partake in the campaign.

You can contribute to the support for the resident physicians by donating online [vuf.lt/en/residents] or by transferring funds directly to a dedicated account. “It’s a chance for the Vilnius University community to prove their unity in the face of this health crisis” - said Justinas Noreika, the Director of Vilnius University Foundation.

VU Faculty of Medicine has a total of 828 residents, 721 of which work in Lithuanian health institutions: 707 in Vilnius, 9 in Klaipėda, 3 in Šiauliai, one each in Panevėžys and Utena. To date there is one confirmed coronavirus case among the group – an expecting resident physician at the Santara clinics.

“Residents are in dire need of protective supplies. Tens of my colleagues went into self-isolation after being exposed to infected patients. The number of working doctors is declining and each of us has to cover an increasing number of patients. The units fighting the infection directly are particularly strained – all specialty residents are being asked to help there and everyone has stopped counting overtime” - Laimonas Uščinas, the Residents council chairman at the VU Faculty of Medicine overviewed the situation.

Vilnius University Foundation invites everyone to support our community members working at the epicenter of the coronavirus crisis.